Dear Parents and Guardians,
As the new school year nears, our Transportation Team is excited to welcome our students back for the 20242025 academic year. We are committed to ensuring that all our students have a safe, reliable, and efficient transportation experience to and from school. Please complete bus rider registration through the Jones County School System site at www.jones. k12.ga.us. ThenselectDepartments,then Transportation and then Rider Registration Information 24-25. Register using the link or QR code. A registration form will need to completed for each student riding a regular needs bus.
ALL bus riders MUST REGISTER regardless of riding previous years. It is very important that you attend Open House and visit the Transportation Department Table. Once your student is registered through the online portal, you should then be able to use My Ride K-12 to look up their bus stop and arrival times/ drop off times on or about July 31, 2024.
That link is GAJonesCoSD.myridek12. tylerapp.com. This app can be downloaded on to your smart phones.
In the mornings many routes will pick up all grades together. In the afternoons most routes will start at the Elementary schools and transport those students home. It is very important that supervision for students under 9 years old is seen at the bus stop or students could be returned to school for paid aftercare. If we do not see parents or guardians at those stop this also delays buses arrival at the Middle or High School campus.
We hope that you will take the time to read and teach your students the value of being a great rider on the school bus.
Riding the bus is a privilege that we provide to our students. Their behavior will determine their ride. With your help we can make this a great year.
Thank you for allowing our department and staff to be a vital part of your child’s educational experience. We look forward to the 2024-2025 School Year.
First two weeks of school
Bus stops and pick up times are only estimates since many students are not enrolled until after school starts. During this time we will have a better picture of the riders along each bus route. The driver on your route will pick up any students standing along the road. Your child will need to be AT his/her stop and ready to board at least 15 minutes prior to pick up.
After the first two weeks
At this time bus stops and pick up times will be adjusted but may be changed throughout the year due to students enrolling or moving to different areas. Children will need to be at their stop and ready to board at least 5 minutes prior to pick up. The driver may instruct your child of minor changes but you will be notified of major changes by the Transportation Department.
Note: Children must be at their
designated bus stop and ready to board when the bus arrives.
The following actions can cause your privileges to be suspended or revoked:
• Repeatedlydelayingthebus(waiting for a student (s) to come out of their residence).
• Ifyourchilddoesnotride3consecutive times without a phone call to notify the Transportation Office.
• Attemptstodisrupt,interfereor impede a bus during a route can cause your stop to be dropped and the parent(s) or guardian will have to bring student to school.
• Exceptionsmaybemadeduetoweather conditions.
Bus Stops
Jones County will follow ALL state guidelines for designating bus stops. The Transportation Department and Jones County Schools will always keep student and driver safety as a top priority.
Residences in close proximity to each other and in subdivisions may have assigned bus stops. Parent (s) and/ or guardians will be notified if major changes to pick up locations are made.
Medical issues
Some students may have medical issues that may require immediate medical attention such as bee stings. Please fill in the medical emergency information on the registration portal. This will inform the driver of the type of medical issue and the appropriate response. Students that need medications at school, Parents or Guardians’ will need to transport those to the school. No school bus driver can accept or transport a student’s medication to school.
At the bus stop
• Stay12feetofftheroad
• Nohorseplaying
• Allowyoungerkidstoboardfirst
• Reportanystrangershangingaround or near the bus stop.
• Beatyourstop5minutespriortoload time and ready to board when the bus arrives.
• Itisbesttohaveanadultfamily member at the stop or visible.
• Donotwalkalongsidethebuswhen boarding or exiting the bus and do not stop in the danger zone (within 12’ of the front, sides or of the bus).
• Youshouldalwaysstayinthesightof the driver.
• Ifyouhavetocrossalaneoftrafficto board always wait for the bus to make a complete stop before approaching the road; then wait for driver to signal.
If your child misses the bus CALL the TRANSPORTATION OFFICE. DO NOT chase the bus down and allow your children to load from the back of the bus at other bus stops. We will arrange, if possible, a pick up location. Contact the transportation office at 478-986-6373.
Gregory Lofton Sr. Transportation Jones County School System
